Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Q.R. — Work on Puerta al Mar has resumed following a three-month suspension. The road to the beach project has been stalled again, this time due to failed negotiations and unpaid bills.
According to available information, the Ministry of National Defense, initially in charge of the project, owes contractors more than 100 million pesos for work completed over an 11-month period-.
Since the start of the project in mid-2024, three different commanders have been placed in charge of completing the road, however, none have been successful. Captain Baruch Hernández Chavarría was first placed in charge of the project but replaced after company complaints of non-payment.
He was replaced by Lieutenant Colonel Velasco who promised to make those payments but failed. Velasco was then replaced by Major Apolo Castillo Cetina, who is currently leading the project.
The companies involved in turning the old Vigía Chico railway route into a roadway report continued payment delays. There have also been work stalls due to failed negoiations with land owners.
A conflict with ejidos, the communal landowners, from Felipe Carrillo Puerto also played a part in the three-month work suspension. A payment was made to the ejidos by a Monterrey-based company who is now heading the project.
The entire 57 kilometer long road is meant to connect Felipe Carrillo Puerto with direct beach access. The project includes 22 kilometers of pavement and 35 kilometers of dirt to remain in compliance with the natural reserve. To date, 50 kilometers has been converted into road, however, the remaining seven kilometers are unfinished.
